Sunday, April 22, 2007

PS22 is getting ready to debut their original musical production, THE 14 CARROT FAIRY TALE! Below are some songs and funny moments from the chorus rehearsal! It's fun to watch everybody enjoying themselves!! (And Mr. B bouncing around like a banana at the piano!) Oh, btw, hi Banana (Breana)!! ;)

Dario sings SOOOOO beautifully, as does the chorus, on this beautiful song written by JUSTIN & Mr. B. This song, like the already classic PS22 Chorus song "BETHLEHEM", was written by JUSTIN & Mr. B while improvising. (You can hear JUSTIN sing the original improv that lead to "KEEP ON GOING" by clicking here: Justin & Mr. B -- Keep On Going))

I couldn't tell you how much your choir's version of "Bouncing Off Clouds" touched me today.

I'm a teacher in Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada. Last week, I was laid off from my teaching position because of lack of student enrollment. Today, I found out that I got my position back because of all sorts of reasons.

It's been a very big roller coaster of emotions for me these past 3 weeks. All I want to do is teach and I am in love with this town, and I didn't want to leave.

Today, I was walking home on clouds because I knew I got to stay here. I felt absolutely free, this song has been with me all day.

As I sit at home, and I watch this, I see a teacher as dedicated to his students as he can be and a group of students who love music as much as I do. I think your group of students are a talented bunch.

You all made my day brighter with this video. Thank you from the bottom of my smiling heart.

Hey, I am also a Music Teacher in the UK. I teach secondary and primary schools in my local area of the Lake District. Tori Amos has been favourite singer since I was a mere 7 years old. I began learning her music by ear at my baby grand when I was a tiny little girl and now I also try to promote her Music to my classes. I have to say that your work is stunning, not only your choir but you as an individual seem to have amazing talent and some incredible teaching skills. What I would do to be able to meet Tori again... I once had the pleasure of shaking her hand whilst in a flood of tears outside Manchester Apollo Theatre. However, if I ever met her again I'd hope to be a little more composed. She is a magical creature who somehow fills me with hope and has saved me over and over throughout my life with her words and her music. Its theraputic and magical, indescribable.. just yummy music.

I have watched all your youtube.com videos and am taken aback by the willingness and enthusiasm that the kids in the choir show. You are one lucky man having the talent and the 'go get them' attitude that these kids are bringing to your classes. I am very envious! If only the kids I taught were more enthusiastic about the subject.

I would love to hear from you if you could spare me a moment to drop me an email. Any ideas which you have for teaching I would also love to share with you.My email address is little_earth@hotmail.com (please feel free to add me to your MSN list if you have one) OR rachelswirl@dsl.pipex.com

Thank you for taking the time out to read this message!

Congratulations and good luck for the future with your extrodinary choir. WOW!

What a beautiful bunch of kids with huge talent! You guys are truly amazing! I have always been a huge Tori Amos fan and now after hearing the PS22 Choir, they are also at the top of my list. Keep up the good work, each and every one of you is truly an inspiration.

I love these kids so much!! I found some of your videos at youtube few days ago and I´m impressed ... there is something so wonderful about the way they sing and I really admire them all (the teacher, too) ... please, could you add some more songs to download on the blog? I hope I´ll have a chance to see you live one day, even though I live so far from you ... :D

Ivana

PS: Sorry for my english, I only learn, but I hope you understood, what I wanted to say :))

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol